Fender mounted directional signal box



g- 8, 1950 c. G. ODUM 2,518,054

FENDER MOUNTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL BOX Filed Dec. so, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet '1 I NVEN TOR. 67 09 4. 0am

amyamra g- 8, 1950 I c. s. ODUM 2,518,054

FENDER MOUNTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL BOX Filed De c. so, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6 9/ J- 6 00647124 ATTD R N EYB g- 1950 c. e. ODUM 2,518,054

FENDER MOUNTED DIRECTIONAL smmu. BOX

Filed Dec. 50, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

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A'I'I'D R N EYE i 'atentecl Aug. 8, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FENDER MOUNTED DIIIQE CTIONAL SIGNAL Clyde G. Odum, Punta Gorda, Fla. Application December 30, 1947, Serial No. 794,732 mm. (01. 177-327 This invention relates to improvements in directional signal lights for automobiles.

An object of the invention is to provide a directional signal light that is adapted to be mounted on the fenders of anautomobile, flush therewith, so that the signal light does not project beyond the contour of the fender in which it is installed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a.

signal light that will provide eight different and i distinct signal arrows which can be used to give twelve different signal operating positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal light that is easil repaired and, provided with eificient and accurate actuating control means, will give positive directional signals, which signals are indicated on a control board conveniently located near the driver of the automobile.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational front view of an automobile with an embodiment of the invention installed in the front fenders and indicating a right turn;

Figure 2 is an elevational rear view of an automobile with the right turn .being indicated;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring system of the signal device;

Figure 4 is a side view of the signal boxes installed in a fender shown in section;

Figure 5 is a front view of Figure 4;

I Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4; 4

Figure 7 is a front view of the box with the lens removed therefrom;

Figure 8 is a front view of the control box with the lens in place; and

Figure 9 is a front view of the control box with the lens removed.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the

reference numeral 2|] designates the signal light embodying the invention which is adapted to be installed in the front fenders 2| of an automobile 22 flush with the contour'of the fender.

The signals are located in the fenders so that they will .be visible day or night to give a positive signal indicating the operational direction of the automobile on which they are mounted.

The signal comprises a signal box 23 which is substantially square .in cross-section and is provided with .a marginal flange 24 which extends Cir at right angles from the box, as shown in Figures 4 and 7.

The box 23, internally thereof, is provided with a transverse partition 25, adjacent the bottom thereof. This partition provides a compartment 26 at the bottom of the box. A substantially U- shaped partition 27, extending into the compartment 26, and engaging the partition 25 at its ends, forms a compartment 28, in which a bulb II is positioned in a suitable socket.

Approximately at the center of the box, a substantiall square partition 29 provides the compartment 30. Diverging from the partition 29, in upwardly and outwardly inclined relation thereto, are the partitions 3| and 32 respectively, which form the compartment 33 in which a bulb I is positioned in a suitable socket.

Partitions 34 and 35 diverging from the partition 29 in downwardly and outwardly inclined relation to the partition 29, together with the partitions 3| and 32, form compartments 36 and 31 respectively. The compartment 36 has a bulb 2 positioned therein in a suitable socket, and the compartment 37 has the bulblll positioned therein in a suitable socket.

Extending downwardly from the partitions 34 and 35, respectively, are the partitions 38 and 39 respectively which, at their lower ends, are joined by the curved portions 40 and 4| respectively which'are at a substantially flat angle to the partitions 38 and-39, and lie in the same plane. At the point where one end of each of the partitions 40 and 4| joins the partitions 38 and 39, partitions 42 and 43 diverge downwardly in an outwardly inclined relation to the partitions 38 and 39. Partitions 35, 38 and 42 form the compartment 44 in which the bulb 4 is positioned in a suitable socket. Partitions 34, 39 and 43 form the compartment 45 in which a bulb 8 is positioned in a suitable socket. 1 a

Partitions 46 and 4! are joined to the opposite ends of the partitions '40 and 4|, and diverge downwardly therefrom at right angles to the partitions 40 and 4|. Partitions 40, 42 and 46 form the compartment 48, in which the bulb 5 is positioned in a suitable socket, and partitions 4|, 43 and 41 form the compartment 49 in which the bulb 7 is positioned in a suitable compartment.

Partitions 5i]- and 5|, diverging downwardly from the partition 29 to join the inner ends of the partitions 40 and 4| form with these partitions and partitions 46 and 41, the compartment 52 in which the bulb 6 is positioned in a suitable Socket.

Partitions 35, 38, 41!, 5|] and 29 form the com- Therefore, the box 23 is positioned in Figure 6 as it would be mounted on a front fender, the box being reversely mounted on a rear fender.

Positioned on the flange 24 is the opaque plate 7 55, which carries the transparent directional" indicia 59 comprising the central substantially square-shaped portion 51. Extending horizon- The plate 94 carries indicia IM and I02 for right and left turns respectively. The plate 95 carries indicia I03 and I04 for right and left curves respectively. The plate 96 carries indicia I05 and I06 for right and left S curves respectively, and plate 91 carries forward and backward directional signals I01 and I08 respectively.

The boxes v23 and II are connected through the 'ni'eansof' a multiwired'. cable I09, so that the pilot bulbs in the box M will be illuminated to correspond with the directional signal bulbs in the box 23.

In Figure. 3, it will be noted that each of the bulbs I to 'II respectively is provided with its individual grounds I' to II respectively.

Each bulb is connected to its respective post,

which are numbered I' to II" respectively by a tally from the portion 51, in horizontal plane H relation to each othergfat opposite sides of the portion 57.,are the arrows-58- and 59: respectively. Extending in vertical relation to the portion. 51!, in the same vertical plane; with eachother, on opposite sides. of the portion 5 are the arrows 60: and: 6.1 respectively. Extending from each lower corner of the portion 51 in downwardly inclined relation to the portion, and toeach other, are the arrows B2 and 63 respectively. The arrow '64 extends; downwardly in vertical'relation to the arrow 62, and; parallel; to. the arrow 60, while the arrow 65 extends downwardly in vertical. relation to the arrow 93 and'paral-lek to the arrow 60,.

The arrows. and; the portion; 51 are treatedin some suitable manner to be distinguishable in and 18' respectively, inwhich are positioned bulbs l9; in suitable sockets. A vertical partitiontil divides the area confinedi by; partition. 13 into compartments BI' and: 82. respectively, in which are positioned bulbs 83: in suitable sockets. A vertical partition 84, divides. the area. confined by partition. 'I4 into compartments 85. and 86.- re.- spectively,, in which. are positioned bulbs 81- in suitable; sockets. A vertical artition. 88; divides the area; confined: by, partition I5 intoicompartr merits 89; and 90, respectively, inwhich; arecposie tioned bulbs EU in suitable sockets. r

Thus. the bulbs are, housed in separat'e' compartments so the illuminationfrom one bulb. will not extend: into'the; adjoining. compartmentsof the other. bulbs. i

A- plate 92' is secured. by arim" 93- onthetface of the box II, and circular plates 94.to. SW aresecured to the P1313692 by rims 98.

Eachof the plates 94 to; 313 carries triangular shaped. lens, partitions 99; anda three-way toggle switch I00, which is available to thedriver. of the automobile. As shown in Figure 3, each: switch Ill0-is pivoted. at I00 so that movement to one position at. the right or left will energize the series of contacts engaged by each switch, as will be later. described. I

suitable wirel I0. Since the :bulb I is used in all positions,. it is connected to subsequent posts I by a suitable wire III and accompanying leads M2 form this wire, asshown. Thebulb- 3is also used more frequently than some of: the other bulbs, soit is connected to subsequent posts 3 by leads I.I-3= from its wire .0. The bulb 1 is also used frequently, and it is connected; to subsequent posts 'I by leads I,

The pilotbulbs I9, 83, 8.1 and SI are provided with the respective grounds I9, 83', 8'I and. 91' sothat they will be illuminated as the switches I05 aremovedin to. rig-ht or left on positions.

A blinker switch I i5. is interposed. in the wiring I IE to cause the bulbs to blink. The wiring IIS passing through. the fuse IzI'I. isI connected to the battery H8 and the wiring; IIB connects all. the switches I 00, as shown.

The indicia shown in- Figure; 8- can be illuminated to indicatevarious directions of travel such asright, turn forward bulbs I and;2,. or left turn forward bulbs I and I0; right curve forward bulbs I5, 3' and; 4, andleft curve forward bulbs I Sand 8.; as a right: S curve forward or for passing acar tothe left, bulbs I-, 3 and 5;; asa: left 8 curve forward orufor passing. a car on the right about to make a left turn, bulbs. l, 9: and l; for signals straight ahead, bulbs I: and: 5 and for backinggbui'bs: l and I111 The. indicia on the plates resembles the conventional roadside markers so that there is no mistaking the signals given.

The small diamond shaped lens in the control box resembles roadside markings so that a modern appearance is obtained;

The arrows are elongated to permit better visibility day or night and are suitable for highway, as well as city-driving.

The lights in the fenders are visible both front and rear, and to the sides. Driving will be safer since more-positive signals are obtainable. Arm signals at night which are hardly visible can be illuminatedwithout fear of collision from following cars, since the driver can give positive signals as to his intended direction of. travel;

The. compartmentv prevents the illumination of the bulbs from overlapping, so that the. signals are notconfused- Itis. believed that. from the foregoing description, the construction andv operation of the signal will. be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that: changes in the minor details of construction, arrangement and combination of: parts may: be resorted to, provided they fall within: the; spirit of the invention. and the scope of: the: appended: claim.

Having. thus described; the: invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

In a directional signal of the type described, having a signal box that is adapted to be mounted in an automobile fender flush with the contour thereof, partitions in said box dividing said box into a plurality of light-proof compartments, and a circuit for each bulb adapted to be selectively connected to the current source of an automobile, a signal bulb in each compartment, the improvement comprising an opaque plate over the face of the box, transparent directional indicia in said plate that is adapted to be illuminated by the bulbs, said indicia comprisin a central square shaped transparent portion, transparent arrow portions extending from said square shaped portion in horizontal and vertical relation thereto, a pair of transparent arrow portions depending from said square shaped portion at an angle thereto and one arrow portion of each pair being positioned intermediate of a vertical and a horizontal arrow portion, and a second pair of transparent arrow portions depending from said first pair of arrow portions parallel to said vertically disposed arrowportions and means for selectively energizing the individual bulbs, said means being connected to the current source of the automobile.

CLYDE G. ODUM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,274,347 Tayc July 30, 1918 1,345,557 Shane July 6, 1920 2,120,288 McCready June 14, 1938 20 2,214,447 Bave Sept. 10, 1942 

